The Kingdom's Chronicle. 

Monday, October 30, 2017



Pictured very top:
As part of last week's Fall Orchestra performance, Principal Jackson (standing to far left) narrates a story throughout this orchestra piece. The night was full of Halloween inspired pieces, including the 35th anniversary of Thriller, which was showcased with black lights, fog machines, and glow sticks!

Connect With Us
Lake Nona Middle School
  

As a reminder, we released 2017-2018 first quarter report cards this past Friday. If you feel that your student has received a grade that may not be where it could be, please take advantage of our after-school and Saturday tutoring opportunities.

Congratulations to Ms. Rudzik and our Orchestra students on a marvelous performance last Thursday evening. They delivered with an amazing effort and I could see that everyone truly enjoyed their experience!

Last week, LNMS' Student Government Association kicked off our 4th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive (non-perishable items). Please consider donating what you are able to between now and November 16th. Our school has been able to help so many families at this special time of year thanks to the kindness of the Lake Nona community.

I hope you enjoy this latest issue and have a great week!

In Knights Honor,
 
Stephanie R. Jackson, M. Ed.
Principal, Lake Nona Middle School     

PTSA
Coming in November!

We will be giving away a $25 Gamestop gift card to the student who hands in the most Box Tops of all three grades.

We will also still be giving a pizza away each month in each grade level to the student that hands in the most box tops that month.

So keep clipping and saving those box tops.  Boxes are located in the library with your grade level on front of box.

Upcoming Events

October 30 - SGA Thanksgiving Food Drive continues
October 30 - Volleyball vs. Hunter's Creek - Away
October 31 - Happy Halloween! - Reminders from the National Safety Council
November 1- SPIRIT NIGHT at Jersey Mike's Subs (all day)



November 1 - Volleyball vs. Meadow Woods - Away
November 6 - Volleyball vs. Hunter's Creek Charter School - Home
November 8 - Volleyball vs. Walker - Away
November 8 - "Screenagers" presentation at LNHS - 7:00 - 8:00




November 11 - Veterans Day
November 11 - OCPS Parent Academy



November 13 - Volleyball vs. South Creek - Home
November 14 - SAC and PTSA Meetings - 5:30 - 7:00
November 15 - Teach-In
November 15 - Volleyball vs. Freedom - Home
November 17 - Hat Day
November 18 - LNMS Teachers vs. IMS Teachers 1st Annual Softball Game
November 20 - Hurricane Make-Up Day - school in session
November 21-24 - Thanksgiving Break


Knight Club

SGA would like to welcome you to the 4th Annual Thanksgiving (non-perishable) Food Drive here at Lake Nona Middle School!
 
This Food Drive runs from Wednesday, October 25th through Thursday, November 16th, 2017. The Food Drive will go through all 1st period classes. First period classes will collect items, and SGA will collect the items every Tuesday after school. For collection on Tuesdays, all you need to do is place your items outside your door.

Thank you for your support again this season!

~ LNMS Student Government Association


Knight Vital Signs



Knights Unity - Together Against Bullying

The faculty, students and support staff supported Unity Day by wearing orange to show their unity for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.


Sixth Grade Knights

Kevin Kendrick and Yvette Kendrick, School Advisory Council members and  Partner in Education to
Lake Nona High School - The Kendrick Team


LNMS teachers at Unity Day


Lake Nona Middle's School Advisory Council President and her family


Seventh Grade Knights

Knight Rigor in the Classroom

World History with Mrs. Jaquez


Brandon Moffitt and Angelina Colorado measure their ingredients.

In Mrs. Jaquez's World History class, students participated in an interdisciplinary activity combining science and history. Students conducted an experiment to find out which combination of ingredients was closest to the ancient Egyptians' natron, which was used to preserve the bodies of the dead. Using an apple, students tested several different combinations of baking soda, Epsom salt and table salt to see which would cause the greatest reduction in moisture. Students also created a sarcophagus for their "mummies."


Dara Velez Matias assembles the sarcophagus for her group's mummy.
 

Michael Omar, Eduardo Abraham Rangel and Hector Farina work together to test out
their group's ingredients on their apple mummy.

Earth Science with Ms.Jones


What factors affect the luminosity of stars?
In Ms. Jones' Earth Science class, students investigated and explored the effects of temperature, size, and magnitude on the luminosity and life span of stars using glow sticks.

ESE - "Class of Royals" with Ms. Carellas


"The Royals return to Mesopotamia"
In Ms. Carellas' class of Royals, the students used clay to experience writing cuneiform, ancient writing from Mesopotamia.

Advanced Orchestra with Ms. Rudzik


Ms. Rudzik is proud to announce that six of LNMS' Advanced Orchestra students will be part of the 2017 OCPS All County Orchestra:.
  • Rachel Perez (Cello), Raynard Dentey (String Bass) and Lise Emile (String Bass) were chosen to be part of the All County Orchestra
  • Jorge Ibanez (Viola), Ariana Rodriguez (Cello), and Ellise Everett (Cello) were chosen to be a part of the All County Honors Orchestra.
** These Knights will be participating in rehearsals and a performance in November.


Knight Stars!
 
The assistant principals, Ms. Cheryl Wood (on the left in all images below) and Ms. Lindsey Herold (on the right below), had the privilege of honoring three of our faculty and staff family members this month for outstanding dedication to our students and community.   
 

Teacher of the Month - Dr. Theresa Smouse - science teacher and instructional coach
  

New Teacher of the Month - Mr. Dustin Nuckles - physical education teacher  

 
Support Person of the Month - Ms. Tracy Epstein - LNMS bookkeeper
 
Knight Special Olympics

Congratulations to Jan Velez for placing first in his group at Special Olympics Florida Area Games at Boardwalk Bowl two Saturdays ago. We are waiting now to find out if he qualifies for state games in December.


Jan with Ms. Schenker, sponsor of the Unified Knights Club

Knight Sports

Wednesday, October 24th was a packed house in the Knight's Kingdom! It was the season opening game for both of our volleyball teams and nothing like starting our first game playing our new rival Innovation Middle. Our volleyball teams did not disappoint and continued our winning tradition by winning both games in just two sets.

GIRLS TEAM

 


We had a gut feeling that the girls' game was going to be a very intense match-up as Innovation gained some of our former athletes when the schools split and sure enough it was. Thankfully for us, we had some key athletes return and the addition of an amazing Volleyball Coach, Luis Vazquez. The first set was a battle from the start and then Innovation went on a run. They extended the lead by a very wide margin after Isabella Rujano, a former Knight, gave her new team a comfortable lead after many consecutive serves. However, our Knights did not back down. Coach Vazquez called a great time-out and regrouped his girls. Our Lady Knights put a stop to this run and ended up winning the set 24-26. The second set was another intense match for our girls, winning this one at 20-25. Innovation had some very talented athletes, but we had the better well-rounded team. Our girls showed tremendous heart out on the court as they were diving and digging balls left and right. If you didn't make it out to this game, you missed a great one!

BOYS TEAM



As far as the boys' game, we didn't really know what to expect going into this match up ahead of time. However, when Innovation got off the bus, we could see that we definitely had the size advantage. Our boys team has an experienced core group of returners that are extremely athletic, tall and talented. Sure enough, going into the first match our boys set the tone early on, letting Innovation know this was their house and they were going to take care of business. Our boys' team won the first set 25-3 and the second set 25-13, refusing to allow Innovation into the game. Much respect to Innovation Middle as they fought hard until the end.

Congratulations to both teams and coaches ( Coach Vasquez and Coach Hermida) on your first win of the season! Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and community for all the support our teams received Wednesday night. Thank you Mr. Rudolph and Coach Nuckels for taking care of the scorebook and clock!

Both team plays again Monday at Hunter's Creek Middle and then Wednesday at Meadow Woods. Our next home game is Monday, November 6th, against Hunter's Creek Charter!

WE ARE THE KNIGHTS!

~ Irimar Hernandez, Athletic Director, Physical Education

REMINDER: Knight Teach-In
November 15, 2017

Each November, in celebration of American Education Week, the OCPS Foundation brings business and civic leaders into the classroom to talk with students about academics, careers and the future. This program is referred to as Teach-In. This year Teach-In will be held on Wednesday, November 15th.

During Teach-In, volunteers read books, teach practical and personal skills, complete demonstrations, or engage students in various projects. What a great way for our students to learn about different professions, while also piquing their interests with real world experiences from community and family members.  We strive to engage our local business community in educational excellence by inviting them to take part in this annual program.
 
Please click on the link below and fill out the brief google form if there is someone you would like to invite to Teach-In on November 15th. As you complete and submit the form, I will extend an official invitation on behalf of our school. Each day you make a difference in the lives of your students. Let's allow our community members and business professionals to enlighten our students on their impact and outreach in the surrounding community and beyond.
 
GOOGLE FORM - POTENTIAL TEACH-IN VOLUNTEER CONTACT INFO:



Knight Success Indicators
Direct and indirect measures that impact our Knight's student achievement . . .
 

9/22
9/29
10/6
10/13
10/20 a)
10/27
Class visits by
administration
114
76
130
100
130
89
ProgressBook logins by LNMS families
600
NA
NA
NA
625
620
Teacher attendance
99%
98%
97%
97%
98%
96%
Attendance - 6th grade
97%
97%
96%
96%
96%
97%
Attendance - 7th grade
96%
96%
96%
96%
96%
96%
Attendance - 8th grade
96%
96%
97%
97%
96%
97%
Tardies to school - 6th
17
18
14
15
23
22
Tardies to school - 7th
13
15
11
12
22
23
Tardies to school - 8th
14
14
17
16
24
25
Tardies to class - 6th
27
26
23
20
16
14
Tardies to class - 7th
25
24
13
12
23
20
Tardies to class - 8th
26
25
10
11
23
24
On-time buses - mornings
98%
98%
98%
98%
98%
97%
On-time buses - afternoons
100%
100%
100%
100%
99%
95%
Library books - 6th grade
265
43
96
85
58
71
Library books - 7th grade
66
52
66
48
25
57
Library books -
8th grade
20
11
20
23
16
26
PM Tutoring: Math
---
8
9
9
15
18
PM Tutoring: ELA
---
6
4
5
11
11
PM Tutoring: Social Studies
---
0
2
2
9
7
PM Tutoring: Science
---
2
2
2
5
7
Saturday Tutoring
---
---
---
---
42
55

a) Four-day school week for students; no school on Monday, Oct. 16

Credit: Asst. Principal Wood and staff

Leadership Team

Principal: Stephanie Jackson [email protected]
Assistant Principal: Damian Rosado [email protected]
Assistant Principal: Cheryl Wood [email protected]
Assistant Principal: Lindsey Herold [email protected]
Administrative Dean: Wanda Perkins [email protected]
Administrative Dean: Steven Berson [email protected]
Administrative Dean: Tangala Butler-Wilson  [email protected]

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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above.  If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof.  Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems.  That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone.

Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS-Lake Nona Middle School is forbidden without written consent.  Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Lake Nona Middle School. Please contact Ms. Cheryl Wood (assistant principal) at [email protected] with any questions.